What are the psychosocial risks of teleworking?

Teleworking has become democratized at lightning speed. As a result, employees and employers had to meand unprecedented challenges. Everyone had to make an effort to renew strong ties from a distance, manage effectively or find a balance between professional and personal life. Despite this, the psychosocial risks of telework wreaked havoc. And even if we don't like to talk about angry things, educate employees to these risks is essential.

1. Isolation

At the very top of our list is theisolation. 

And if we are talking about it so soon, it is not by chance. After the health crisis, 37% of people see isolation as a high psychosocial risk. And that is quite understandable. Because once again: telework arrived like a dog in a bowling game. 

To renew the link between your different collaborators, bet on spontaneity. Be the first to use the live chat early in the morning. Encourage them to lunch together and meet up on weekends. Organize team building. And give them tons oftips for maintaining social ties while working remotely. 

2. Conflicts

When working 100% from home, communication is often less clear, more tense and sometimes a source of disorganization. Because the remote communication techniques are not innate, they are learned. 

Thus, the telework conflicts can have several reasons: 

• "You weren't online when I needed you";
• "That's not what I understood when we talked about it last month"; 
• "I do not know how to use such a tool and have not received any training"... 

To solve these problems before they even appear, organize regular meetings by videoconference. Think of clearly define your expectations and objectives. Chase the negative turns in your messages. And finally, don't ask your employees to use an application or a tool without being sure that they know how to use it. 

3. Overwork 

Conflicts, isolation, child management : all of these stressors can quickly lead to overwork. Besides, 54% of employees work more hours when they perform their tasks at home rather than in the office. 

However, the rule is simple: employees must not work more than 5 days a week. 

In order to counter the risk of overwork, companies must center their culture on employee health. 

With this in mind, team leaders should: 

• Set clear working hours;
• Promote the right to disconnect evenings and weekends;
• And encourage break times during the day.

4. Decline in motivation at work

The crisis saps motivation at work. Not only because nobody else works next to us, which does not necessarily make you want to. But also because we have access to all the distractions: the game console, the fridge, the Internand, our cat... 

However, being in your cozy little nest does not mean putting your work aside. For fight against a lack of motivation, identify your weak points and work on them. Be kind to yourself and establish a routine! Finally, try to sand yourself motivating goals (a slice of cake, a walk in the forest, a drink on the terrace). Otherwise, think about your next vacation… ☀️

5. Anguish

The psychosocial problems of telework make people stressed, nervous, anxious. 

According to a Human Footprint study, almost one out of two employees is in psychological distress. Some employees feel like they are constantly being watched while others feel like they are being left behind. 

However, we all need recognition and a benevolent ear to talk to. 

So if you feel a psychological distress as you read this article, call 0 800 13 00 00. This anonymous and free service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At the end of the line, 70 psychologists are mobilized to help you bandter experience teleworking. 

6. Bore-out

The list of psychosocial problems of telework almost finished, promise! The bore-out or theboredom at work is a psychological disorder that affects more and more people. When we are affected by bore-out, we have nothing to do: either because our tasks are boring, or because we have absolutely nothing to do, or because our work lacks meaning. 

Unfortunately, the adverse health effects of boron-out are numerous : fatigue, depression, low self-esteem. To fight against monotony, ask to manage more interesting projects et combine well-being and performance.

7. Mix between professional and personal life

Before, we left the work at the office. 

Today, work is already home at the end of the day. 

So not easy to find a balance between professional and personal life. To avoid mixing everything up, do an activity to break up with your professional tasks:

• Go for a run; 
• Call a friend; 
• Look for recipes on the internet; 
• Read a book;
• Prepare your future trip… 

In addition, organize your priorities in order of importance or difficulty and follow your to-do-list to the letter. Its very important. Avoid pushing too hard, delegating too much, or putting off too many tasks until tomorrow. And… your health will be (better)! 

Increase the well-being of its employees to avoid the psychosocial risks of teleworking

To avoid the psychosocial risks of telework, do not hesitate to increase your well-being and that of your employees. Encourage them to create a quiet and private workspace at their home. In this way, they will gain concentration a one motivation. And at the end of the day, they will be able to better enjoy their loved ones! 

Finally, give them ergonomic and comfortable office furniture. 

Like good shoes for running, a good desk and a comfortable chair are essential to work well.